UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

[HockeyRef]

Agreed. If nothing else, Robinson is enjoyable to watch after four years of DT flopping all over the ice, raising everyone's blood pressure. DT was a fan heart attack waiting to happen. Robinson gives reason to be optimistic that things will soon be under control. He made several good saves on Saturday by being large and in the right position.

It is early. One difference from last year, this could change with continued losing, is that while clearly out talented on Saturday, the 'cats did not appear to be resigned to losing. I'd like to think that competing against UMass' talent level was an education that our younger players will learn and grow from.

...exactly. Team defense was a big difference Saturday. Several times UMass cleaned up defensive rebounds. UNH, not so much

Stay classy. Not UMassy.

Great post Darius! Agree that the ‘Cats didn’t seem resigned to lose and that’s a good thing! This weekend is a big test of how they respond from this weekend looking forward!

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

In the end, I won't let our personal goalie disagreements get in the way of hoping for the best for the UNH program. It's just kind of sad (pathetic?) that you feel compelled to bury a kid like Tirone, who was a pretty good D-1 goalie for three-and-a-half seasons in Durham, only because he didn't fit your model for what a D-1 goalie should look like. The (premature) elevation of Robinson to "superior" status is just you trying to jam your anti-Tirone narrative through. I'll be thrilled if Robinson proves you right in time, just as I was thrilled for e.cat, UNH Football and Coach MacDonnell when that situation eventually turned around despite my doubts. It might just make sense, though, if you wait until the evidence favors you to declare "victory". Just sayin'

Well...this is a statement that I cannot let go. Chuck, if one of us has extended an impression of trying to 'bury', root against or even make character/personal jabs towards UNH players and alums its you (JVR, Poturalski, DeSmith, Foegele). I expect you'll respond and chalk that up to analysis and a difference of opinion. Fair enough, but if you're going to do that, than you need to extend me the same courtesy. Especially considering YOU were the one who brought Tirone into the conversation in the first place. This ordeal started as a 100% discussion of Robinson, himself, with no comparison. You assumed that last year's 6-1-1 start must have been a result of DT's play - when the real catalyst was the offense, while Tirone played intermittently OK to great - you could have just recognized that and moved on but you accelerated the rehash of the 'better goalie' debate instead. Not me...

I have ZERO problem with Tirone's style of play or size - I struggle with the results, the number of tough goals and the ill-timed goals. I have always kept my criticism of him to his play on the ice. I discuss what I see good and bad from UNH Hockey. I watched Jeff Lerg play for two straight years at Michigan State - dominating with athletic ability at 5-6 with nary a complaint. He was the best athlete on the team, but also an incredibly sound goaltender who played his angles, skated at an elite level, was never out of position or off-balance, made all the routine stops and the majority of the timely ones. That's not what we saw consistently the last 3.5 years. It just wasn't. And when you're not all that, small stature is going to be a factor and consistency is going to be an issue. It is a testament to Tirone's work-ethic and compete level that he was able to overcome that as much as he did - I always tried to hedge my criticism by recognizing this. And I complimented him when he played well - even if I never felt it would last consistently or was more vocal when he didn't...

My evaluation of Robinson is stand alone - based on what I've seen, heard, read and researched. I don't need to stare at the sun for a full year to know it hurts my eyes...

--

As for the rest of the discussion. I think we can agree were done here. You are still making arguments you've ridiculed in the past, ignoring all context and haven't made the effort to actually evaluate Robinson other than calling him a 'net-filler'. If you don't think he's athletically gifted - and moves very well as a result - then I can only assume you simply haven't seen much of him yet. Im tired of that line of debate and Im sure a lot of posters are tired with both sides...

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

It is early. One difference from last year, this could change with continued losing, is that while clearly out talented on Saturday, the 'cats did not appear to be resigned to losing. I'd like to think that competing against UMass' talent level was an education that our younger players will learn and grow from.

They did not. They did not at CC, either. More consistent forward 'push' could make them a fun team to watch, and a playoff team, at the very least...

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Great post Darius! Agree that the ‘Cats didn’t seem resigned to lose and that’s a good thing! This weekend is a big test of how they respond from this weekend looking forward!

The November 18th Amherst rematch is on NESN+ !!!

 

[Darius]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

They did not. They did not at CC, either. More consistent forward 'push' could make them a fun team to watch, and a playoff team, at the very least...

The concern is balancing forward push with team defense. Cover a few loose puck rebounds and the tone of Saturday's game is quite different. Looking at the likes of Wyse, Maas, Gildon, Boyd... this is more of a concern than it should be.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

The November 18th Amherst rematch is on NESN+ !!!

Good to know that's a bit of a hike from where I live (what? I drove to Yale ). Was thinking of going down now I'll prob stay home and watch on the tube...

 

[Dan]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

The concern is balancing forward push with team defense. Cover a few loose puck rebounds and the tone of Saturday's game is quite different. Looking at the likes of Wyse, Maas, Gildon, Boyd... this is more of a concern than it should be.

I guess for me, its more about the forwards. I want to see them picking up loose pucks, turning and going. I want to see them moving their feet across the blue line and skating hard to the net - both with and without the puck. I want to see UNH score goals and possess pucks. Give the D a little time to relax...

I agree that the defense was pretty bad on Saturday. Certainly around the net and especially Gildon, who I give high-praise when he's playing well. That said, I think defense and goaltending will remain the strength of the team moving forward and that these guys have played pretty well overall (So far UNH is middle of the pack in scoring defense, but 50th in scoring offense). In defense of Wyse, Gilson and Maass they are playing A LOT. Far more than their share of even minutes and every PK or PP. It is a lot to ask and, for the most part, I think they handle it well. They do need to be more consistent and tighten up around the goal...

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Jeff Lerg! Arrrggghhhh! Ended our 2005-2006 season in a 1-0 shut out, all 5'6" of him, in his freshman year, co-leading the Spartans to a rare double hockey NC.

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Jeff Lerg! Arrrggghhhh! Ended our 2005-2006 season in a 1-0 shut out, all 5'6" of him, in his freshman year, co-leading the Spartans to a rare double hockey NC.

And it was early in the first period wasn't it. Knife to the heart, but remember thinking 2 things. Weak blue liner, soft came to mind, but hey it is early with plenty of time to get on track. Not that day! MS had their Spartan there, tons of fans.....just terrible!

 

[Greg Ambrose]

The concern is balancing forward push with team defense. Cover a few loose puck rebounds and the tone of Saturday's game is quite different. Looking at the likes of Wyse, Maas, Gildon, Boyd... this is more of a concern than it should be.

The defensive play in their own end was terrible. The first three guys you mention are supposedly the best players on the team. They didn’t show it against UMass. Offensively they and their teammates didn’t do much either. If what I saw was good effort, I shudder to think what going through the motions would lead to. Watching this game reminded me of how UNH teams of yore played against the bottom feeders. Nowhere to go but up.

 

[After the Whistle]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

The defensive play in their own end was terrible. The first three guys you mention are supposedly the best players on the team. They didn’t show it against UMass. Offensively they and their teammates didn’t do much either. If what I saw was good effort, I shudder to think what going through the motions would lead to. Watching this game reminded me of how UNH teams of yore played against the bottom feeders. Nowhere to go but up.

I'm not sure that this team is ready for your eyes yet Greg. I wouldn't question their effort Saturday, but you can find room for improvement on their overall performance. These kids are really working hard and we can only hope they improve with more experience. As noted, lots of freshmen who will come as they get used to the speed. The first period was as fast and up and down as any in a long while. Felt like a BC game, very wide open. Second period was really an improvement and felt strong on both ends, but still no one appears to have the touch to be a grade A finisher. Going to need that!

The problem I saw took place within a 25 foot semicircle of the crease, at both ends of the ice. Defensively they really don't cover their man very well - to a person. And at the offensive end, no one is there for a rebound. With the one exception that got our only score.
Verrier is playing very well, controlled and confident with the puck,and I think he is a sleeper in terms of fan appreciation. Doesn't get a ton of ice but is working his way in nicely.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

The problem I saw took place within a 25 foot semicircle of the crease, at both ends of the ice. Defensively they really don't cover their man very well - to a person. And at the offensive end, no one is there for a rebound. With the one exception that got our only score.

You do have to wonder if coaching defense beyond a relatively basic level (for this advanced level) is something three former D-1 forwards are likely to ever excel at. Possible "blind spot" with the current staff - although that same dynamic existed during the final few years of the Umile era, too. One would think getting the defense sorted out is an early opportunity to "coach up" the current group while they wait for the offensive talent already in the program to develop and emerge, and by extension help to attract the more talented kids further up the food chain. It's gotta start somewhere, why not here?

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Congratulations to Red Sox pitching coach Dana Lavangie.

 

[Greg Ambrose]

I'm not sure that this team is ready for your eyes yet Greg. I wouldn't question their effort Saturday, but you can find room for improvement on their overall performance. These kids are really working hard and we can only hope they improve with more experience. As noted, lots of freshmen who will come as they get used to the speed. The first period was as fast and up and down as any in a long while. Felt like a BC game, very wide open. Second period was really an improvement and felt strong on both ends, but still no one appears to have the touch to be a grade A finisher. Going to need that!

The problem I saw took place within a 25 foot semicircle of the crease, at both ends of the ice. Defensively they really don't cover their man very well - to a person. And at the offensive end, no one is there for a rebound. With the one exception that got our only score.
Verrier is playing very well, controlled and confident with the puck,and I think he is a sleeper in terms of fan appreciation. Doesn't get a ton of ice but is working his way in nicely.

Well, the 25 feet you speak of at each end of the ice are the critical areas are they not? If they don’t have the ability to defend that area at one end and don’t have the ability to attack it at the other end, we have problems, real problems. Saturday night UNH did not make it difficult for UMass in the defensive zone and they did nothing to make UMass uncomfortable in the offensive zone. Yes, UMass has more talent that UNH but it’s not like they are the second coming of the 1993 Maine Black Bears. I won’t be at either game this weekend (other commitments) but even though they will be playing more talented teams, I will expect a better effort.

 

[Snively65]

Well, the 25 feet you speak of at each end of the ice are the critical areas are they not? If they don’t have the ability to defend that area at one end and don’t have the ability to attack it at the other end, we have problems, real problems. Saturday night UNH did not make it difficult for UMass in the defensive zone and they did nothing to make UMass uncomfortable in the offensive zone. Yes, UMass has more talent that UNH but it’s not like they are the second coming of the 1993 Maine Black Bears. I won’t be at either game this weekend (other commitments) but even though they will be playing more talented teams, I will expect a better effort.

Looking forward to attending both games this weekend, and especially collecting my prizes pre-game at Libby's on Saturday night.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Seeing the podcast advert on the USCHO homepage regarding Dartmouth HC Bob Gaudette's 400th career coaching win brings up a scattering of memories and reactions to me today. First, it's coming up on the 40th anniversary (this March) of the one and only UNH ECAC Tourney championship, with the '79 ECAC Finals victory against Dartmouth when UNH's #17 Bobby Gould scored at 17:17 of the 3rd period against none other than Big Green goalie … Bob Gaudette. For you younger fans who might scan the rafters at The Whitt during breaks in the action … that '79 title is referenced on UNH's Hockey East tourney banner. Just in case you were wondering how UNH "won" Hockey East a half-decade before it was founded … well, here you go.

It's also interesting to note that Coach Gaudette got his start as a HC at around the same time as Coach Umile, although he's roughly 10 years younger than Umile. That he's just reached the latest "NRN" in his career (still almost two full notches below Coach Umile's haul) offers some insight into just how well Umile fared during his long tenure at UNH. The downward arc of his career over its last decade, and particularly in his three year "lame duck" farewell tour, distracts many of us (and myself very much included) from what he accomplished over his career. BTW, Gaudette has one (1) regular season title with his alma mater, and one (1) NCAA appearance, which was in his early years at Brown.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/coach/Bob-Gaudet/2297

I know success is measured differently in Durham than it's been measured in Hanover, and I'm sure Coach Gaudette has met his boss' expectations to justify his extended tenure behind their bench. Nevertheless, it's interesting to ponder just how long Gaudette would have lasted at UNH had he posted the same results here? Also, overall, he may have 400 wins, but he has over 450 losses, and throw in over 100 ties, he's only won just over 40% of his games. Not exactly Hall of Fame credentials.

I suppose the celebration (or even just noteworthiness) of any NRN becomes questionable in my mind when the loss total has surpassed the win column. It always draws me back to my HS football coach, who was feted in the local press when he'd won his 100th game in charge. It was not as easy back then to find out career records as it is now, but I did some digging, simple math and it was not too difficult to determine that a coach in his 30th year was probably pretty darned close to having lost at least the NRN beyond the FRN (first round number, or 100).

Sometimes things like NRN's have more to do with tenure than with success.

Whatever you think of the man, you can't ever say that about Umile. JMHO.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

Looking forward to attending both games this weekend, and especially collecting my prizes pre-game at Libby's on Saturday night.

I'm not sure how the rumor may have gotten started, but I'm not going to be around this Saturday night. The usual coaching gig kicked in as of two weekends back.

I'll catch up (and pay up) as soon as things allow.

 

[Snively65]

I'm not sure how the rumor may have gotten started, but I'm not going to be around this Saturday night. The usual coaching gig kicked in as of two weekends back.

I'll catch up (and pay up) as soon as things allow.

No worries, Chuck. HR has been saving a bobblehead since last spring for me, and always fun to stop by Libby's before a game. Sure hope that we can a couple more W's to "my" UVM win this weekend.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

No worries, Chuck. HR has been saving a bobblehead since last spring for me, and always fun to stop by Libby's before a game. Sure hope that we can a couple more W's to "my" UVM win this weekend.

Hey I'll let you know about whether or not I can get to Libby's before game time; hubby has a robotics event and we might not be able to get to DHam until close to game time. Either way, I'll bring your bobblehead AND a 'special' extra gift for ya! I will be at the UML game as well..

 

[bostonewe]

Re: UNH 2018-19: Souza The Opportunity

While I know that we aren't often complimentary of the ticket office, but I have to relay what turns out a positive experience. My husband has been a season ticket holder for at least 15 years (and has been in the student section for years prior to that). He was nice enough to buy a ticket for me for this coming Saturday's game when he was in Durham last weekend for the UMass game, but didn't realize until he got home that the seller misprinted and gave him a ticket to the UMass game. Husband contacted the ticket office and my replacement ticket should be waiting at will call this weekend for no extra charge. So, yeah, it was annoying that they screwed up, but the fix was relatively quick and simple.